Air Service Boys Over the Atlantic | Page 6

but with the
proviso that they allow me to engineer the first long flight in it."
"That sounds interesting, Lieutenant," admitted Jack, apparently
considerably impressed.
"Tell us some more about it, please," urged the practical Tom.
"It's possibly by long odds the largest bombing plane that so far has
ever been built, even beating those big Caproni machines of Italy that
can carry a dozen in the crew. This Martin bomber can be run by three
hands, although several more might be used if the right kind were
found. Its possibilities in the way of distance and continued flight can
hardly be estimated, since all depends on the cargo carried. The less
crew, the more petrol and bombs to make up the load."
"Yes, we get that, Lieutenant," said Jack, as the other paused briefly,
possibly to get his breath, and then again because he wished the
information to sink slowly into their minds.

"With this monster biplane I assure you it will be an easy matter to fly
all the way to Berlin, bomb the city so as to terrify the inhabitants even
as they tried to do to Londoners, turn around, and return here without
touching ground once; yes, and if necessary, repeating the trip."
Jack showed intense excitement, while Tom too was deeply interested.
"We knew that thing would soon arrive," the latter said; "and they say
the Germans are getting cold feet already with the prospect before them.
But it's come a little sooner than I, for one, expected. What's your big
scheme, Lieutenant?"
"Berlin or bust?" chanced Jack explosively.
"You've hit the right nail on the head, Parmly," admitted the other, with
a nod of appreciation. "I mean to show that it can be done. Just as soon
as I can get that big bomber here, and the permission to take on the job,
well start some fine night for Berlin and give Heine the jolt of his life."
Jack thrust out his hand impulsively.
"You can count for one on my going, Lieutenant; that is, provided I get
permission from the boss!" he announced promptly.
"I'm inclined to say the same," Tom added quietly, though his face
displayed an eagerness he did not otherwise betray.
With that Lieutenant Beverly squeezed a hand of each.
"I mean to start things going shortly," he told them. "And you'll surely
hear from me, for I must keep track of you boys."
"Where is the big Martin bomber now, did you say?" asked Jack.
"I didn't mention the fact, but it lies hidden in a special hangar on the
French coast, not a great distance from Dunkirk," came the answer. "I
have a special guard watching it, and my mechanics keep everything
ready for any sudden call. Right now she's tuned up to top-notch pitch,
and a full supply of gas is kept on hand all the time, as well as

everything needed in the way of supplies. That's where money talks."
Jack looked his admiration, and then burst out with:
"You're sure a dandy, Lieutenant Beverly, and if ever you undertake
that wonderful trip to Berlin and back I only hope I have the great good
luck to be aboard."
"Consider it settled then," he was told. "And now that I've found my
comrades for the venture I can go about further details, and start getting
the consent of Headquarters to the enterprise. One of these nights
Berlin is going to get a shock that may help bring the war to a speedy
close."
"Here's our dugout," said Tom. "We're going back to work again after
I've bandaged Jack's finger, for he gave it an ugly scratch when
handling the gun, he doesn't himself know just how. Can we do
anything further for you right now, Lieutenant?"
"Thank you, nothing, Raymond. I shall get on nicely. I'll rest up a day
or so while things are simmering connected with that big affair. Of
course it's to be a great secret among the three of us; not another soul
knows anything about my project or the giant bombing plane I had
shipped over to France."
"That's understood, and we're as mum as a couple of clams," Jack told
him; and so they separated, little dreaming at the moment what a
remarkable series of circumstances were fated to arise that would bring
them together for the carrying out of an enterprise greater than anything
as yet recorded in the annals of aerial exploits.
Tom and Jack were back on the field before half an hour had elapsed,
making a fresh start for the clouds, just as eager as ever to have some
adventurous Hun airman accept their challenge and give them battle.
For a whole hour did they fly back and forth in the disputed territory
between the two armies. Far